History of Pokémon
The history of Pokémon started simply enough as a hobby ofSatoshi Tajiri, who as a child had a fondness for catching insects and tadpoles near his home in suburban Tokyo. Over time, Satoshi decided to put his idea of catching creatures into practice because it would give children the same thrill as he had.
With the help of Ken Sugimori and other friends, Satoshi formed Game Freak and much later the design studio known as Creatures. In 1991, Tajiri discovered the Game Boy and the Game Boy Link Cable gave him the image of insects traveling along the wire. Nintendo began to fund his project and spent six years developing the games that would become a worldwide sensation.
Generation I
The first Pokémon games, Pokémon Red and Pokémon Green came onto the Game Boy scene in Japan in 1996, which was the fulfillment of Satoshi Tajiri's dream and allowed people of all ages to catch, train and trade 151 creatures and become a Pokémon Master. Due to sales, Pokémon Green swiftly became Pokémon Blue, which had improved graphics and sounds.
North America recieved Pokémon Red and Pokémon Blue on September 30th, 1998 and soon everywhere else began to play the games on the Game Boy. Plans soon started for a game based on the popular Pokémon Animé and Pokémon Yellow was released September 12th, 1998 in Japan, October 25th, 1999 in North America and Europe.
Pokémon Yellow allowed trainers to take on the role of Ash and travel through Kanto with Animé style graphics for each pokéemon. The game followed the animé and Pokémon soared to a new height of popularity as the 20th century came to a close.
Generation II
On November 21st 1999, Nintendo of Japan released Pokémon Gold and Pokémon Silver for the then new Game Boy Color. This time, pokéemon trainers were invited to the land of Johto where 100 more pokémon were waiting to be captured. The new games enhanced the pokémon gaming experience by creating:
1.) Genders for many pokémon, which allowed for breeding. 2.) A clock which allowed for day and night. 3.) Trainers could choose to be male or female.
Many other features made the games better than their predecessors. Trainers could also return to Kanto and face the gym leaders that existed in the original games. Pokémon Gold and Silver made its way to North America by October 11th, 2000.
Like Pokémon Yellow, a third version was made in Japan called Pokémon Crystal and was released December 14th, 2000 in Japan and July 21st, 2001 in North America. Pokémon Crystal had several changes made. Many pokémon changed locations and the pokémon known as Suicune was the title character and the focus of the plot. Trainers in Japan however were able to recieve the pokémon known as Celebi through a wireless link.
Generation III
A major overhaul of the game series occured when Pokémon arrived on the Game Boy Advance on November 21st, 2002 when Pokémon Ruby and Pokémon Sapphire came onto the scene. Trainers found themselves in the strange land called Hoenn where 135 new pokéemon were waiting to be discovered. The games reached North America on March 18th. 2003 and had many new features.
1.) Characteristics for each Pokémon. 2.) Pokémon Contests 3.) Weather 4.) New teams and a legend for each version. (Team Magma for Ruby and Team Aqua for Sapphire)
This generation also saw the return of Kanto in Pokémon Fire Red and Pokéemon Leaf Green where trainers could once again travel through Kanto with enhanced graphics and gameplay. The games also featured a wireless connection and several hidden islands to explore and many of which were home to several Johto pokéemon. This game was released January 29th, 2004 in Japan and September 9th 2004 in North America.
Not to be undone, Nintendo released a third version to go with Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire called Pokémon Emerald. This game is slated for release in North America in early 2005 and was released in Japan on September 16th 2004. This game featured the same wireless connection as Fire Red and Leaf Green had as well as a return to Hoenn with many, many new features such as:
1.) Rebattling gym leaders. 2.) Pokémon Battle Fronteir.
Generation IV
With a fourth generation in the works for the Nintendo DS, Pokémon is stronger than ever.Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl are slated to come soon and no one is sure what new things the new generation will bring to the ever changing world of Pokémon.
Other games
Along the way, Pokémon has had many spin off titles for the Nintendo 64 and the Nintendo Game Cube. The list includes:
Nintendo 64
Pokémon Stadium 1 and 2 Pokémon Snap Pokémon Puzzle League Hey You, Pikachu.
Nintendo Game Cube
Pokémon Channel Pokémon Colosseum Pokémon Box: Ruby and Sapphire
Nintendo Game Boy
Pokémon Pinball Pokémon Pinball: Ruby/Sapphire Pokémon TCG Pokémon Puzzle Challenge
Pokémon will have a new game for the Game Cube some time in 2005. Pokémon has secured its place in gaming history and who can say what the future will bring. All that is known is that the world of Pokémon is and always will be an ever changing place for years to come.
